See http://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/campaign-update-bangladesh-mining-company-renews-efforts or http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14975:bangladesh-mining-company-renews-efforts&catid=33:central-asia-indigenous-peoples&Itemid=66

The tribe hopes to strengthen its position through an international agreement signed by the Obama Administration. The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community says mines that produce sulphuric acid can pollute the water and threaten places sacred to tribes in the Great Lakes.

The Keweenaw tribe fought Rio Tinto subsidiary Kennecott’s Eagle Mine, a new copper and nickel mine under construction in Marquette County.

See http://ipr.interlochen.org/ipr-news-features/episode/tribes-appeal-united-nations-over-mines/2012-05-02.

Action: Tell the United States Congress and President Barack Obama: Pass a moratorium to stop sulfide mining in the Great Lakes watershed!

Sign the petition at http://www.change.org/petitions/the-united-states-congress-and-president-barack-obama-pass-a-moratorium-to-stop-sulfide-mining-in-the-great-lakes-watershed?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=autopublish#.

See http://www.tehelka.com/story_main51.asp?filename=Ne030312Creating.asp.

There is a campaign against this Vedanta initiative – see http://kractivist.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/faking-happiness-spoof-ad-competition/

and sign the petition at http://www.change.org/petitions/ambika-soni-stop-vedanta-from-broadcasting-their-misleading-ad-campaign?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=friends_wall.

Tell the Utah Division of Air Quality what you think. Sign the petition: Clean Up the Bingham County Mine. Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/largest-open-pit-copper-mine-in-the-world-pollutes-utah.html#ixzz1lc0BaML3.

See http://www.cerrejon.com/site/Portals/1/Documents/pdf/policies/Cerrejon-%20Human%20Rights%20Policy.pdf.

For background, see articles at http://londonminingnetwork.org/?s=cerrejon.

If you live in the UK, PLEASE URGE YOUR MP TO SIGN EARLY DAY MOTION 2396 ON CERREJON. See http://londonminingnetwork.org/2011/11/please-urge-your-mp-to-sign-early-day-motion-2396-on-cerrejon-coal/.

If you live in the UK, please contact your MP and ask him or her to sign this EDM.

If you do not know how to contact your MP, go to http://www.writetothem.com/.

For the text and signatories, see http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/2396.

CERREJÓN COAL COMPANY MINE, COLOMBIA

That this House expresses concern about the devastating social and environmental impacts of the Cerrejn Coal company’s huge opencast coal mine in Colombia, owned in equal parts by London-listed multinationals Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Xstrata; notes with concern that communities forcibly dispersed before these companies bought the mine have yet to receive justice in the form of adequate compensation or community resettlement; further notes with concern that an agreement to reconstruct the evicted community of Tabaco remains unfulfilled and that communities currently facing involuntary resettlement accuse Cerrejn Coal of inefficiency and injustice in its dealings with them; is concerned that the proposed deviation of the River Rancheria, the main river in La Guajira, for mine expansion, will threaten water security for the region; further notes that some of these communities have formed a federation to seek justice from the company; further notes that the President of this federation has sought the support of British parliamentarians and that unionised mineworkers at Cerrejn fully support this federation; and urges the Government to require the London-listed companies involved to ensure that the federation’s demands are accepted in full by Cerrejn Coal.

Nearest tube: Knightsbridge.

Organised by:

Colombia Solidarity Campaign

Movimiento 22

COLOMBIA, the second most BIODIVERSE country in the world, home to 105 INDIGENOUS CULTURES, is under theat by MINING MULTINATIONALS.  Mining titles now cover 8% of national territory.  London-listed ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI holds the majority of them, many in Indigenous or Afro-Colombian lands, or areas with UNIQUE or IRREPLACEABLE ECOSYSTEMS.  Land is being handed over to mining companies with the blessing of the Colombian state.

On 3 June this year, 13,000 people marched in the streets of Tolima to say YES TO LIFE, and NO TO LA COLOSA MINE.  Unless stopped, La Colosa will become the largest open cast gold mine in South America.  Nestled in the Colombian Andes in an area of strategic importance as a ‘water factory’, the CYANIDE used to process the ore will contaminate water for drinking and irrigation for the wider region.  Colombians are demanding the right to continue living in a clean and safe environment.

The people of Tolima will march again on 14 OCTOBER. They would like Colombians and Friends of Colombia throughout the world to show their Solidarity, by convening at their closest Colombian Embassy on the day to say YES TO LIFE, and NO TO THE MINE.  Our solidarity is of utmost importance as recently, threats have been received by opponents of the mine in Anaime, near Cajamarca, Tolima.

Bring Placards, Banners and let’s make a noise!!

More info:

Report: LA COLOSA: The Quest for El Dorado in Cajamarca, Colombia
http://www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk/mining/548-la-colosa-the-quest-for-el-dorado-in-cajamarca-colombia

Documentary: Gold Fever in Cajamarca http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHxcZZ50opU

Documentary: AngloGold Ashanti in Ghana http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7Mz4hsCEpk

Threats to opponents of the mine: http://www.elnuevodia.com.co/nuevodia/tolima/regional/112789-campesinos-de-anaime-amenazados-por-coincidencias

See http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page72068?oid=137155&sn=Detail&pid=92730 and
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/10/bhpbilliton-idUSL3E7LA0FA20111010.

Australian Nuclear Free Alliance calls for a moratorium on uranium mining

MEDIA RELEASE,  11th October 2011

In the wake of the approval of the Olympic Dam expansion, the Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (ANFA) is calling for a moratorium on uranium mining due to the long term impacts associated with the nuclear industry.

Uncle Kevin Buzzacott, Arabunna elder from Lake Eyre and President of ANFA, addressed a rally at Parliament House in Adelaide yesterday held in response to the approvals announced by the State and Federal government:

“Today is a very sad day, but it’s not over yet. We are not going to rest until the government reverses its decision. We want BHP Billiton out of the desert. If we have to bring this town to a standstill, then so be it.”

South Australian Minister for Mineral Resources Development Tom Koutsantonis said yesterday that the mine will be subject to the most “stringent environmental conditions.”

“If 8 million litres of radioactive waste per day leaking into the underground rock and aquifer, and almost 9 billion tonnes of radioactive waste left in the desert at the mines closure, is acceptable under these conditions, then the South Australian government is setting the bar extremely low,” said ANFA Committee member Nectaria Calan.

“The radioactive waste will remain on Kokatha and Arabunna Country long after the former ‘Big Australian,’ now 76 per cent foreign owned, packs up its business and moves on.”

The expansion means an increase in shipments of uranium oxide and copper concentrate railed through the Northern Territory and shipped out from East Arm wharf on Larrakia land.

Donna Jackson, ANFA co-chair and Larrakia woman said, “the transport and export of these goods puts additional pressures on our emergency services, if we increase the volume, we increase the chance of an accident happening.”

“We stand by the Kokatha and Arabunna who oppose this expansion and we repeat our opposition and distress to the approved increase of two trains a day transporting radioactive materials through the NT and out from our Darwin Harbour.”

For comment contact:
SA: Kevin Buzzacott   0431 157 747, Nectaria Calan     0432 388 665
NT: Donna Jackson     0427 847 186

THE LIZARD’S REVENGE

Invitation/Press Release

DLF  – Desert Liberation Front

Response to the government’s decision to expand Olympic Dam mine.

Sleeping underneath the ground there is an old lizard, Kalta the sleepy lizard. The lizard ain’t so sleepy anymore.

BHP is mining right into that Lizards body. The government has just approved an expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium mine, making it the biggest uranium mine in the world.

Kalta is angry and wants revenge. Arabana elder Kevin Buzzacot is calling the people of the world to help the lizard shut down the mine. He is calling for people to come and heal the land in the name of peace and justice for the next 10,000 generations to come.

The land is being irreversibly poisoned in and around Roxby Downs by the tailings dam causing dust and ground water contamination, and contamination of its workers.

The uranium is taken all over the world and used to kill the land and all its creatures. It’s destroying lives not only in Fukashima, with the reactor meltdown, but in the depleted uranium shells that children play with in the streets of Iraq and Kosovo.

With the governments numerous attempts to put a nuclear waste dump at Muckaty in the Northern Territory there is a danger that radioactive waste will be brought back, opening Australia up to accepting nuclear waste from all over the world. Lets stop the deadly cycle where it starts.

The land the lizard and the creatures of this earth are summoning everybody who gives a shit to the gates of Roxby Downs on the 14th of july 2012 for The Lizards Revenge – This is an open invitation to all people and a special call out to artists, musicians and activist community groups and media to get involved in the creation of this autonomous zone for the peace and healing of this land.

Party in a Dangerous Planet with Theatre, Cabaret and Art installations. Over 20 musical acts. Solar Powered sound system extravaganza and wind powered cinema. More to be announced…

Stand up and boogie down at the Gates of Olympic Dam 14th July 2012.

For more info email- izzybrown@live.com

Derbyshire County Council as the Mineral Planning Authority, had indicated that it would oppose the application which is due to be heard on the 13th of October at 2.30pm.

In the last 48 hours we have learned that the planning officer for Derbyshire County Council Mineral Planning Authority has now produced a report, very strongly recommending the approval of the Lodge House expansion to the planning committee. This leaves virtually no time for objection or democratic scrutiny.

It is important to express the view of the wider community, and to support the villagers of Smalley, who have democratically expressed their opposition to the scheme.

Please support them by signing the on-line petition http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Smalley-opencast/ Note however, that unless we succeed in getting the planning meeting postponed, the last point at which the petition could be accepted is likely to be around noon on Monday the 10th, so please act now, and spread the word to all your transition and other contacts and networks, regionally, nationally, and internationally. It would be great to be able to show that concern about coal mining, carbon emissions, and local impacts is widespread and deeply felt!

See http://www.no-tar-sands.org/category/latestupdates/.

If you live in the UK, please email your MP about La Colosa gold mine and ask him or her to sign the Early Day Motion.  It will only take A COUPLE OF MINUTES to copy and paste the e-mail below. There are only four working days until parliament goes into recess (Tuesday).

Please see http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmedm/110713e01.htm and scroll down to Early Day Motion (EDM) number 2076. (If you are unsure what an Early Day Motion is, see http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/business/edms/)

In order for the EDM to carry any significant weight, it is of paramount importance for it to attract as many signatures as possible from other MPs. PLEASE SEND A QUICK EMAIL TO YOUR MP, urging them to sign the EDM entitled “La Colosa Gold mine in Colombia”. You can write it using your own words, or it will only take a couple of minutes to copy and paste the e-mail below and send it to your MP.

You can obtain your MP’s e-mail address by entering your postcode at: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/ and then clicking on your MP’s name to get his or her email address.

Please remember to fill in your MP’s name, and your own name and address, otherwise they will not process the email.

If you have friends, family or colleagues who may be interested in this mail, please forward it to them as well.

Thank you for showing your solidarity to the people of Colombia.

========================[subject]=========================================

Early Day Motion on La Colosa Gold Mine in Colombia

==========================[start]=========================================

[your home address]
[date]
Dear [ name of your MP],

I am writing to bring to your attention the Early Day Motion entitled “La Colosa Gold mine in Colombia” which has recently been submitted by Jeremy Corbyn MP. It expresses concerns about La Colosa Gold mine, what will be –- if it goes ahead –- the largest open-cast gold mine in South America.

As it is located in the Central Forest Reserve of Colombia, and surrounding area has strategic water sources and is of vital importance to food production, I am concerned about the environmental impact that it will have.   Such projects often also have a significant social impact, leading to displacement of people, and in Colombia have often coincided with increases in violations of human rights.

The EDM expresses the concerns about the environment, and concerns about the safety of those in civil society who are currently peacefully voicing opposition to the project. It also expresses concern about the track record of the company in question, AngloGold Ashanti, which according to a Human Rights Watch report was responsible for funding a paramilitary group in Democratic Republic of Congo, and has also caused environmental and social devastation in Ghana. In January this year, AngloGold Ashanti was awarded the Public Eye award for being the Most Irresponsible Company in the world.

The EDM questions how it is possible that the company, despite having a subsidiary listing on the London Stock Exchange and having 12% and 53% of its investors from the UK and USA respectively, is not subject to OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.  This is because its headquarters are in South Africa, and neither Colombia or South Africa are signatories to these guidelines. The EDM concludes by urging the government to enforce stricter regulation so that this and other companies listed in the London Stock Exchange, where they receive significant funding, cannot evade accountability.

More information, including references, about the issues mentioned in the EDM available at:

http://londonminingnetwork.org/2011/06/la-colosa-the-quest-for-el-dorado-in-cajamarca-colombia/

I am writing to you to convey my support for this EDM, and hope that you will consider adding your signature in support as well.

Yours sincerely
[Your name]

==========================[end]=========================================

For you information, the full text of the EDM reads:

That this House expresses its concern about the devastating environmental impacts that the proposed La Colosa open cast gold mine, will have on a region of considerable biodiversity and importance for food production; further expresses concern about potential violations of human rights that often coincide with the presence of such projects; notes that the company in question, AngloGold Ashanti, has a track record of environmental and human rights abuses in Africa; further notes that the same company, despite having a listing on the London Stock Exchange and 12% of its investors from the UK, is not subject to OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; and consequently urges the Government to enforce stricter regulation so that companies listed in the London Stock Exchange cannot evade accountability.

In the Phulbari area of Northwest Bangladesh, communities have come together to raise their voices against the proposed Phulbari Coal Project–which threatens to turn this fertile agricultural region into an open-pit coal mine.  If implemented, the mine would have devastating environmental impacts and ultimately displace up to 220,000 people.

The mine is being proposed by London-listed GCM Resources.

See http://accountabilityproject.org/section.php?id=43.

See also short video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3aQZsQjFPI.

The programme has apparently revealed that British consumers are being given the wrong information by retailers when buying gold jewellery. See: http://www.professionaljeweller.com/article-9611-uk-jewellery-giants-in-spotlight-over-dirty-gold/

For a direct link to the programme go to: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/articles/the-real-price-of-gold-pledge (You can also sign up to the pledge and make comments). The programme covers material on Goldcorp’s Marlin mine in Guatemala. Goldcorp is a Canadian company. Among its major investors are British-based AVA Investment Managers UK Ltd., Blackrock Commodities Income Trust plc and City Natural High Yield Trust plc.

See also http://www.retail-jeweller.com/in-business/responsible-retail/high-street-jewellers-under-fire-over-ethical-gold-sourcing-in-dispatches-programme/5026651.article and an article in the Daily Mail, see:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2007976/Is-wedding-ring-dirty-gold-Documentary-links-child-slavery-high-street-jewellery.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Oxfam America has created a petition, which they will hand deliver to the Guatemalan Government. Sign on at: https://secure.oxfamamerica.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1229

Goldcorp is a Canadian company. Among its major investors are British-based AVA Investment Managers UK Ltd., Blackrock Commodities Income Trust plc and City Natural High Yield Trust plc.

See: http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=10988